Upper body protective system

ABSTRACT

A contact sports upper body protector having an inner, breathable fabric layer and an outer layer composed of multiple, individual padding elements. A tensioning system is integrated into the inner layer to comfortably secure the protector to the body without impeding movement and includes reinforcing such as stitching running over the shoulders and joining together front and back before proceeding toward the waist of the wearer where a tensioning strap on either side is cooperatively engaged. The tensioning strap extends from the front portion of the garment through a D-ring on the rear and returns to the front where it is removeably secured at a point below its original departure point so as to provide tension both around the body/waist and over the shoulders to secure the protector in place.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/807,091 filed Apr. 1,2013, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to upper body protective wear for useduring contact sports, and more particularly, to a lightweight upperbody protective garment constructed to be stable but yet adjustable inmultiple directions.

2. Description of the Background

Protecting players from injury is a primary concern for any sport.Sports such as hockey, football and lacrosse feature player-to-playercontact as well as player-to-ground and player-to-equipment (i.e., ball,stick, puck, etc.) contact that has the potential to injureparticipants. Consequently, players participating in such contact sportswear protective gear such as helmets, elbow/knee pads, rib/kidneyprotectors and shoulder pads. To be effective, padding such as shoulderpads must absorb and distribute the force of blows or contact but alsomust not impede the player's range of motion, agility and speed. Playerhealth also requires that pads provide adequate ventilation so thatplayers are not overheated or overly fatigued through use of theirequipment during the intense physical exertion of game play.

To accomplish these opposing requirements of protection andbreathability without impediment, protective gear is typicallyconstructed of an assembly of soft padding in combination with molded,semi-rigid or hard shells or plates configured to be worn by theparticipant only over the areas of the body most likely to be impactedduring play of the particular game with which the pads are intended tobe used. Such pads are relatively heavy, inflexible and non-breathable.Shoulder pad construction may also vary depending on the on-field roleof the intended wearer. For example, a lacrosse defenseman's pads maypreferably be both light and minimally protective whereas an attackman'smight offer much more protection as they are more likely to be thetarget of much checking and physical contact. A midfielder's pads mightbe a balance of the two or skew towards one extreme or the other.Likewise, a football quarterback's shoulder pads should emphasizefreedom of motion whereas a lineman's pads should offer much moreprotection while being streamlined so as to offer as few handholds aspossible for opposing players to exploit. In all cases it is desirablethat the pads and protective gear be properly fit and securely attached.

Regardless of the game, shoulder pads typically take the form of agarment donned over the head and harnessed atop the shoulders and upperbody. Because of their rigid or semi-rigid construction and so as not toimpede movement, conventional shoulder pads typically cover the shoulderand ribcage areas but do not extend down over the abdominal area to thewaist. The pads are secured around the ribcage, the chest and backportions being joined by straps or fasteners extending underneath theplayer's armpits for this purpose. Some lacrosse attackmen or footballreceivers prefer more rib/kidney protection. Supplemental pads areavailable either as separate rib/kidney protectors worn around themidsection or hung by suspenders, or as integral rib/kidney protectorssecured to the shoulder pads. The net result is often a hodge-podge ofpads tightened against the body along random seam directions, andexhibiting poorly-planned stretch characteristics. This createsadditional bulk and restriction. What is needed is an ultra-lightweightupper body protective garment that combines a unique pad pattern with anundergarment having a particular seam alignment for improved fit andincreased mobility, plus a fastening-strap system that first tightensthe garment in a diagonal direction and then around the lower torso fora stable and secure fit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anupper body protector that is lightweight so as not to fatigue theplayer, breathable for comfort and constructed from flexible materialsso as not to impede the player's motion.

It is another object to provide an upper body protector that integratesa diagonal pad pattern, diagonal seam alignment, and novel tensioningsystem that first tightens the garment in a diagonal direction and thenaround the lower torso for a stable and secure fit and increasedmobility.

In accordance with the above-described object, an embodiment of thepresent invention is a contact sports upper body protector having aninner, breathable fabric layer and an outer layer composed of multiple,individual padding elements including rib and sternum protection padssubstantially oriented along a “V” extending from the shoulders to thenaval, and kidney and abdominal pads on opposite sides of the base ofthe “V.”

A tensioning system is integrated into the inner layer to comfortablysecure the protector to the body without impeding movement and includesreinforcing such as stitching running over the shoulders and joiningtogether front and back before proceeding toward the waist of the wearerwhere a tensioning strap on either side of the wearer's body iscooperatively engaged. The tensioning strap extends from the frontportion of the garment through a D-ring on the rear and returns to thefront where it is removeably secured at a point below its originaldeparture point so as to provide tension both around the body/waist andover the shoulders to secure the protector in place. In effect, thetensioning system first tightens the garment a diagonal direction andthen around the lower torso for a stable and secure fit.

The combination of the unique pad pattern, undergarment seam alignmentand tensioning system provides an improved fit, more comprehensiveprotection, and increased player mobility.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription thereof which is to be read in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a three-quarters front view of an upper body protectoraccording to the present invention configured as worn on an athlete'supper body.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an upper body protector according to thepresent invention configured as worn on an athlete's upper body.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an upper body protector according to thepresent invention configured as worn on an athlete's upper body.

FIG. 4 is a three-quarters rear view of an upper body protectoraccording to the present invention configured as worn on an athlete'supper body.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of an upper body protector according to thepresent invention configured as worn on an athlete's upper body.

FIG. 6 is a front schematic diagram of an upper body protector accordingto the present invention shown prior to being placed on an athlete'supper body.

FIG. 7 is a front schematic view of an upper body protector according tothe present invention in which the outer layer has been omitted forpurposes of the illustration, shown prior to being placed on anathlete's upper body.

FIG. 8 is a three-quarters front schematic view of an upper bodyprotector according to the present invention in which the outer layerhas been omitted for purposes of the illustration configured as worn onan athlete's upper body.

FIG. 9 is a side schematic view of an upper body protector according tothe present invention in which the outer layer has been omitted forpurposes of the illustration configured as worn on an athlete's upperbody.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an upper body protective garment or protectorfor use during contact sports. The protective garment is constructed tobe lightweight and breathable, to offer protection from blows andcontact to the upper body experienced during game play and to be affixedsecurely to the wearer at the lower torso so as to be stable during use.

With combined reference to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of a protectivegarment 1 according to the present invention is shown with an innerfabric layer 10 (see also FIGS. 7-9) configured to be worn over theupper body of the wearer. The inner layer 10 is preferably formed oflightweight synthetic woven or non-woven materials, and is mostpreferably a breathable synthetic mesh material such as polyester mesh.The inner layer 10 defines a harness covering all or a majority of theshoulders, and has a front portion 12 and a rear portion 14 extendingdownward to respective lower ends at or near the waist of the wearer.The front, rear and neck/shoulder portions need not be distinct panelsor elements but rather may constitute portions of a larger element orfabric panel. The front portion 12 is worn over the chest and comprisesan array of padding arranged substantially in a butterfly-shape withfour wingtip corners at the shoulders and abdomen. The rear portion 14is worn over the back, and is attached to the front portion 12 at allfour wingtip corners, essentially forming a harness with twoover-shoulder straps. At the waist the rear portion is attached to thefront portion by two length-adjustable straps as will be described.

The lower corners/ends of the front and back portions 12, 14 of theinner layer 10 may extend to or even slightly beyond the hips of thewearer owing to variations in player physiology, but are preferablytruncated at or just above the hips to provide optimal, secure fit ofthe protective garment 1. As with conventional jerseys, a hole isprovided through the center of the neck/shoulder portion for theplayer's head. In alternate embodiments, the front or back portions 12,14 may be split vertically in the manner of a buttoned shirt to alloweasier donning of protective garment 1, however it is imperative thatthe split front or back portion be capable of being securely closed orrejoined so as to transmit loads under tension as will be described. Thefront and back portions 12, 14 of the protective garment 1 arepreferably, but not necessarily, independent below the neck/shoulder,which is to say that they do not rejoin one another below the arms ofthe wearer. Rather, as shown in the depicted embodiment, the sides ofthe front and back portions 12, 14 and the protective garment 1 as awhole remain open, subject to attachment only by the tensioning system,and preferably no side panel(s) are incorporated. This eliminatesbunching of fabric side panels which otherwise impedes the movement orcomfort of the wearer.

The front portion 12 of inner layer 10 provides a base layer forattachment of the padding of the present invention, and toward this endthe front portion 12 comprises a chest portion 12 a, which extends fromthe wearer's neck/shoulders downward in a generally “V”-shape, from theshoulders toward the center of the waist, and an abdominal portion 12 b,which flares outward below the waist on opposite sides of the base ofthe “V” of chest portion 12 a to cover the lower abdomen (see FIG. 2).The back portion 14 of inner layer 10 also provides a base layer forattachment of additional padding, and toward this end the back portion14 may extend from the neck/shoulder downward substantially covering theplayer's back, and flaring outward slightly on opposite sides of thelower back (see FIG. 5).

It should be here noted that terms of relative position used herein suchas “upper/lower” or “inner/outer” refer to the relative position ofelements as depicted in the drawings and are not intended to be limitingin and of themselves. The relative positions of the layers of aprotective garment 1 according to the present invention may be changedwithin the scope of the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 5-9, a tensioning system is provided on both thefront and back portions 12, 14 of the protective garment 1 to adjustablysecure the garment to the torso of the wearer. As part of this systemthe lower end of the front portion 12 is characterized by an adjustablefastening strip 30 affixed to front portion 12 horizontally, runningalong its lowermost lateral edge (see FIG. 6). The fastening strip 30may preferably be one or more panels of hook-and-loop fastener such assold under the trademark Velcro®, though snaps, hooks, buckles or otherknown means to releasably and adjustably secure a tensioning strap mayalso be used.

A strap-guide element 32 such as a nylon D-ring is attached at eachflared lower corner of the back portion 14, as seen in FIGS. 8-9 in thedepicted embodiment. The strap-guide element 32 may alternatively be anyring, loop or slot through which the tensioning straps (to be described)are slideably passed-through and retained.

A tensioning element, preferably in the nature of a flat strap 34 suchas 2 inch wide nylon webbing, is engaged to each side of the abdominalportion 12 b of front portion 12 at its upper lateral edges and abovethe fastening strip 30, and protrudes outwardly to the side at a slightdownward angle. Each strap 34, in its entirety, is preferably about 15inches long within an acceptable range of from 10-20 inches, and ispreferably formed from elastic or another suitable stretchable fabricmaterial. The straps 34 may be stitched or otherwise affixed at one enddirectly to the lateral edges of the abdominal section 12 b of frontportion 12, and terminate at distal ends, which are initially free fromattachment. In use, straps 34 wrap around the wearer's sides underneathhis/her arms, are passed through the respective strap-guide elements 32on the rear portion 14, and are returned to the front portion 12 of thegarment where they engage with fastening strip 30. To accommodate theirengagement with fastening strip 30, each strap 34 is provided at itsdistal free end with a fastener 31 complimentary to the fastening strip30 on the front portion 12 (such as the opposing hook-and-loop fastenerportion). This way, straps 34 can be releasably and adjustably affixedto the front portion 12 to secure the front and back portions 12, 14 tothe torso of the wearer.

As best seen in FIG. 9, the strap-guide element 32 is preferablypositioned at an elevation (E2) below the point at which the strap 34 ispermanently affixed to the front portion 12 (E1) such that the firstsegment 40 of the strap 34 has vector components in both the horizontaland vertical directions. Similarly, the strap-guide element 32 ispreferably positioned at an elevation (E2) above that of the point atwhich the strap 34 engages fastening strip 30 (E3) of the front portion12 such that the second segment 41 of the strap 34 also has vectorcomponents in both the horizontal and vertical directions. In certainembodiments the elevation of the strap-guide element 32 (E2) may beadjustable. The strap-guide element 32 is most preferably positioned atan elevation mid-way between those of the two points at which the strapengages the front portion 12. Because of the horizontal and verticalvector components and the routing of the tensioning strap 34 through theD-ring, the tensioning system serves to tighten the inner portion of theprotective garment in both the horizontal (i.e. around the waist/torso)and diagonal and vertical (i.e., along torso and over the shoulder)dimensions for an improved and secure fit.

Affixed to the inner layer 10 is an outer layer 20 of paddingmechanically affixed to the inner layer as by sewing, adhesive or othersuitable means. The padding layer 20 preferably comprises a plurality ofindividual molded, resilient, expanded open or closed-cell elastomericfoam elements 22 affixed to front and rear portions 12, 14 of the innerlayer 10 as shown in the depicted embodiment. The individual paddingelements 22 may themselves be fabric covered and include elements shapedto protect the shoulders (epaulets), chest, sternum, upper back/shoulderblades, lower back/kidneys and abdominal area. Importantly, while theindividual elements are securely fixed to the inner layer 10, they arepositioned so as to leave small gaps or channels 24 between them to bothpermit flexing of the garment as the player moves during play and topermit some movement between the applied elements 22 relative to oneanother to promote secure, proper fit of the protective garment underthe control of the tensioning system.

Relative movement of the applied elements 22 to ensure secure fit is, asdescribed, accomplished by tensioning the straps 34 and stretching ofthe fabric of the inner layer 10 within the channels. However,uncontrolled or indiscriminate stretching of the inner layer 10 willresult in a poor and inconsistent fitting garment that is notsufficiently secured to the player. Such a garment would be stretched ortensioned in undesirable locations that impede movement and reduceplayer comfort. Stretching of the fabric of the inner layer 10 undertension of the straps 34 must be controlled and some support is providedby the mechanically affixed elastomeric foam elements 22. Additionalcontrol of the stretching of the inner layer is provided by opposingreinforcing seams 50 extending diagonally along the torso and over eachshoulder of the wearer, crossing or engaging each other on the frontportion 12 of the inner layer 10 at approximately the sternum, extendingsideward and downward along chest portion 12 a to align with the upperlateral edges of abdominal sections 12 b, and arching inward anddownward from the upper lateral edges of chest portion 12 a to roughlythe middle of the lower lateral edge of abdominal portion 12 bunderneath fastening strip 30. Seams 50 also extend along rear portion14 diagonally from each shoulder and cross or engage each other atapproximately the wearer's mid back (not shown). If desired, the seams50 may be reinforcing sashes constructed by applying piping, cording,webbing or additional fabric to the inner layer 10, though seams ofreinforced stitching applied to the inner layer 10 of the garment may beused.

The reinforcing seams 50 may be fiat lock stitching to provide a flatseam for comfort and increased durability, or any other known stitchsuitable for use with the woven polyester mesh or other fabric of choiceof the inner layer 10 that resist stretching in their longitudinaldirection. With particular reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, in a preferredembodiment the stitching 50 on front portion 12 includes two lengths 51extending upward from proximate to each of the points at which the endsof the straps 34 are affixed to the upper lateral edges of abdominalsection 12 b. Lengths 51 cross, overlap or join at the chest point 54and continue over a shoulder of the wearer, proceeding to cross, overlapor join again in the middle of the wearer's back before descending toterminate in proximity to the D-ring strap-guide elements 32. In bothcases the strap-guide elements 32 and/or straps 32 may be directlyengaged to or by the seams 50 or may be in close proximity so as to beengaged via the fabric of the inner layer 10.

Each seam length 51 in conjunction with the strap 34 forms a reinforcingsash that divides each of the front and back portions 12, 14 into 4diagonal quadrants centered on the chest point 54 or (comparable backpoint—not depicted) to control overall movement and compression of thegarment under tension of the straps 34. By joining the lengths 51 at thechest point 54 the lateral vectors of the two tensioned straps 34 cancelone another resulting in only a vertical component securing the garmentdown onto the shoulders of the wearer. At the same time, the opposingstraps 34 in conjunction with the lower ends of the front and rearportions 12, 14 form a band around the wearer further securing thegarment in place. Additional lengths of stitching may be provided tofurther reinforce the fabric of the abdominal portion 12 b includinglengths 52 extending from proximate the mid-portion of the lower edge ofabdominal section 12 b to proximate the juncture of chest portion 12 aand abdominal portion 12 b. In some embodiments, portions of lengths 52may join and be coextensive with the stitching along the lateral edgesof the protective garment and thus may further extend upward fromproximate the juncture of chest portion 12 a and abdominal portion 12 band continue over the shoulder before descending to the waist againproximate the D-ring of the depicted strap guides 32.

As best seen in FIG. 6, an exemplary array of individual paddingelements 22 on front portion 12 of protective garment 1 comprises rightand left shoulder epaulets 221, 222, an inverted triangular pad 225covering the suprasternal notch, and two elongate substantiallytrapezoidal protective breast pads 223, 224 each secured between acorresponding epaulet 221, 222 and the triangular pad 225, and extendingdownward and converging inward below triangular pad 225. The trapezoidalprotective breast pads 223, 224 may be defined by cutouts as shown foraesthetics and to conserve weight. The inner and lower edges of thetrapezoidal protective breast pads 223, 224 generally follow seams 50 toan open angle, and a five-sided stomach pad 226 is fitted to this angleand protrudes down almost to the fastening strip 30. Abdominal pads 227,228 occupy the abdominal portion 12 b of the inner layer 10 on opposingsides of the stomach pad 226.

On rear portion 14, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to right and leftshoulder epaulets 221, 222, which extend over the wearer's shoulder fromfront portion 12 to rear portion 14, an exemplary array of individualpadding elements 22 also includes an inverted triangular pad 225 acovering an upper portion of the wearer's trapezius just below the neck,and two elongate, substantially trapezoidal trapezius pads 223 a, 224 aeach secured between a corresponding epaulet 221, 222 and the triangularpad 225 a, and extending downward and converging inward below triangularpad 225 a to cover, in combination with triangular pad 225 a, roughlythe entire trapezius. Trapezius pads 223 a, 224 a may be defined bycutouts as shown for aesthetics and to conserve weight. Lower back pads,227 a, 228 a extend along the lower, diagonal edges of trapezius pads223 a, 224 a to cover areas roughly overlapping the wearer's kidneys.

Again, pads 221-228 are preferably individual foam elements thatcollectively cover the shoulders, chest, sternum, upper back/shoulderblades, lower back/kidneys and abdominal area in a jigsaw manner, andwhen shaped as described the lines of spacing between pads 221-228 runtransverse to the lines of tension imposed by the tensioning system,providing the greatest possible degree of freedom in the direction oftensioning. One skilled in the art should understand that the paddingelements described above may be combined, consolidated or otherwisemodified as a matter of design choice without departing from the scopeor spirit of the invention. For example, pads 221-228 need not beindividual padding elements, but can be consolidated into fewer largerpadding elements, of similar or alternate shapes, provided that thetensioning system functions as intended.

The result of the foregoing is an upper body protector that is extremelylightweight, breathable and snug-fitting, yet protective and completelynon-restrictive of player motion.

Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certainmodifications of the concept underlying the present invention, variousother embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of theembodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to thoseskilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept.It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.

1. A garment for the protection of a wearer during contact sports,comprising an inner fabric layer capable of being worn around the neckand over the shoulders of said wearer and having an opening therein toaccommodate the neck of said wearer, said inner fabric layer furthercomprising a front portion and a back portion, said front portionextending downward from said opening along left and right lateral edgesto a distal bottom end positioned at or below a sternum of said wearerand said back portion extending downward from said opening along leftand right lateral edges to a distal bottom end in back of said wearer,said back portion further comprising a pair of strap guides, each strapguide being affixed on opposing sides of said back portion proximate tosaid distal bottom end; a tensioning system, comprising, a lefttensioning element engaged from the left lateral edge of said frontportion, passing through a corresponding strap guide on said backportion, and engaged to said front portion proximate said distal bottomend, and a right tensioning element engaged from the right lateral edgeof said front portion, passing through a corresponding strap guide onsaid back portion, and engaged to said front portion proximate saiddistal bottom end whereby tensioning of said left and right tensioningelements results in tightening of said inner layer along the torso ofsaid wearer, over said shoulders and around the abdomen of said wearer;and an outer layer of one or more padding elements affixed to said innerfabric layer.
 2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said strap guides areD-rings and wherein said left and right tensioning elements are straps.3. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a left and a rightreinforcing seam each stitched along said inner fabric layer fromproximate one of said tensioning elements to an opposing shoulder ofsaid wearer, wherein said left and a right reinforcing seams cross eachother.
 4. The garment of claim 1 wherein said distal bottom ends of saidfront portion and said back portion terminate at or near the waist ofsaid wearer.
 5. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a fasteningstrip on said front portion to which said left and right tensioningelements are removably affixed.
 6. The garment of claim 5 wherein saidleft and right tensioning elements are removably affixed to saidfastening strip by the cooperative engagement of Velcro® panels, snaps,hooks, or buckles.
 7. The garment of claim 1 wherein said left and righttensioning elements are made of an elastic material.
 8. The garment ofclaim 1 wherein said left and right tensioning elements are each between10 and 20 inches long.
 9. The garment of claim 8 wherein said left andright tensioning elements are each 15 inches long.
 10. The garment ofclaim 1 wherein said strap guides are adjustable along said left andright lateral edges of said back portion.
 11. The garment of claim 1wherein said one or more padding elements collectively cover shoulders,chest, sternum, upper back/shoulder blades, lower back/kidneys andabdominal area of said wearer.
 12. The garment of claim 11 furthercomprising a plurality of gaps between each of said one or more paddingelements wherein said one or more padding elements are capable of movingrelative to one another.
 13. The garment of claim 1 wherein said one ormore padding elements are made of foam material.
 14. The garment ofclaim 11 wherein the edges of said one or more padding elementscorrespond to said left and right reinforcing seams.
 15. The garment ofclaim 1 wherein said front portion further comprises a releasable,vertical closure between said opening and said distal end.
 16. Thegarment of claim 15 wherein said closure is resealed with a zipper. 17.The garment of claim 15 wherein said closure is resealed with one ormore buttons.
 18. The garment of claim 1 wherein said back portionfurther comprises a resealable, vertical closure between said openingand said distal end.
 19. The garment of claim 18 wherein said closure isresealed with a zipper.
 20. The garment of claim 18 wherein said closureis resealed with one or more buttons.
 21. A method of securing aprotective garment to the upper body of a wearer comprising the steps ofproviding a protective garment be worn over the shoulders of said wearerand extending downward therefrom, front and back, toward the waist ofsaid wearer, said protective garment comprising a front portion and aback portion, said front portion extending downward from said wearer'sneck to a bottom end in front of said wearer and said back portionextend in downward from said wearer's neck to a bottom end in back ofsaid wearer; affixing a tensioning element to each of a left side and aright side of said protective garment such that each tensioning elementis engaged from said front portion to said back portion and back againto said front portion, tensioning each said tensioning element tothereby tighten said protective garment on a torso of said wearer, oversaid wearer's shoulders and around the abdomen of said wearer. 22-34.(canceled)
 35. A garment for the protection of a wearer during contactsports, comprising: a padded front portion for wear over the chest, saidpadded front portion being substantially X-shaped with four corners; aback portion for wear over the back, said back portion being attached tosaid front portion at all of said four corners, and adjustably attachedthereto at least two of said four corners; a first length-adjustabletensioning element attaching one of said front portion corners to saidback portion; and a second length-adjustable tensioning elementattaching another of said front portion corners to said back portion.36. The garment of claim 35 wherein said first and second tensioningelements are incrementally adjustable in length.
 37. The garment ofclaim 36 comprising a fastening strip on said front portion to whichsaid tensioning elements are removably affixed.
 38. The garment of claim37 wherein said tensioning elements are removably affixed to saidfastening strip.
 39. The garment of claim 38 wherein said left and righttensioning elements are removably affixed to said inner fabric layerfastening strip by the cooperative engagement of Velcro® panels, snaps,hooks, or buckles.
 40. The garment of claim 35 wherein said left andright tensioning elements are removably affixed to said front portion atleast at one end.
 41. The garment of claim 1 wherein said left andtensioning elements are made of an elastic material.